One thing a white living room risks lacking is warmth. While light, bright and airy is all the rage, a warm element, in the form of furniture or other decor, can be just what the space needs to feel balanced. In this modern Cape Cod style home in Malibu, massive stacks of chopped wood flanking the fireplace offer natural warmth and perfectly tie in with the wooden captain’s chairs.

This stunning living room could be a part of a suite in an exciting modern art museum, with its striking combination of colors and artwork. The contrast of the vibrant furniture and decor against the stark white walls and ceiling makes for a visual impact that is as unique as it is gorgeous.

White paint and dark wood make for a lovely pairing. In this luxurious living room, slivers of dark hardwood sweeping around the area rug stand out against the white walls, marble fireplace and neutral furniture. The dark, contrasting elements are continued in the panes of the arched French doors, the hardy wooden beam and built-in shelving unit.

Designers wanted to keep this living room space feeling fresh, clean and bright, so they whitewashed the brick around the fireplace, mounted white shiplap on the walls and installed lightly stained, wide plank hardwood flooring. To add a rustic touch to the design, a reclaimed mantel was chosen as the cherry on top.